will a PS2 mouse work on a serial port w/ adapter?

[bluemax]

I just put together an old system ASSUMING that their "old" PS2 mouse would work with the faster machine's 9-pin serial connection. They bought the adapter and Windows no longer asks for a mouse (so it detected one...) but apparently the cursor won't move.
Weird...

So do they require a mouse that's serial-compatible? I always figured they worked with an adapter just fine.... [shrug]

 

[bluemax]

Hey? Hello? :Q

 

[Modus]

I have found PS/2 <--> serial adaptors for mice anything but reliable. There's probably no such thing as a generic adaptor. It seems like a Logitech PS/2 <--> serial adaptor won't work with a Mitsumi PS/2 <--> serial adaptor, even though both mice are supposedly Microsoft compatible.

Just get a new mouse. You can still buy serial mice for pocket change.

Modus

 

[Vincent]

Some mice aren't designed for use with adaptors.

 

[bluemax]

I think that says it all. 😉 Thanks guys... I'll pass that on.

 

[Jeff H]

bluemax, unless that mouse expressly indicates it is Serial and PS/2 Compatible you're going to have problems w/ it. I have a Microsoft Intellimouse Pro that says exactly that on the bottom ID sticker, and it will work w/ either a PS/2 connector (native) or a serial connector (adapter supplied by Microsoft). The adapter converters you buy in places like CompUSA or Best Buy are notoriously flakey.

 

[tom3]

Yeah the PS2->serial adapters don't seem to be standardized. I've had a mouse that wouldn't work with any other adapter but the one it came with. All the adapters look the same though.. at least to me. Heh I wonder if an USB mouse would work through a USB->PS2 and a PS2->serial adapters.